This anime, is the most impressive I have EVER seen. To say what TTGL really is about may be impossible, it talks about how you make your dreams come true, how you fight for what you think is true, how you repel the limits to do the impossible.
If you haven't seen TTGL yet, you're going to embark on an epic and unforgettable journey, trust me, you'll never forget this anime.
So, to sum up the story very quickly, Kamina and Simon are 2 best-friends that live in a village under the surface. One day, attempting to reach the surface, they meet a girl, Yoko, and will discover the upper world with Lagann, the little mecha Simon managed to find while drilling to reach the surface.
Now come the rates :
Story : 10/10
The story is really simple, but a major part of the plot twists are still impredictable, and, as you probably guessed, this is how you end up with an amazing story. The anime managed to finish every side story it opened, to end the anime with a very acceptable ending, and, the most important, the watcher never feel lost, because the structure of the story is enough good to guide you easily and unconsciously. But don't get me wrong, the story will definitely not spare you.
Art : 10/10
Before watching TTGL, you have to know one thing : it's context of production. Gainax (the studio) didn't make any really "hyped" anime since a while and they feared the bankruptcy. So, they decided to invest a colossal amount of money into one original project : Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, they savior. And what happens when you put together an amazing studio (Gainax is at the origin of the anime Evangelion) and a LOT of money ? You end up with an anime that aired in 2007, with an art just as good as One Punch Man's art. This comparison is really interesting, because there are a lot of similitaries between the art of thoses two anime, but don't forget that TTGL is 8 years younger than OPM. So, the art is absolutely gorgeous, some times there are exaggerated drawing, you can find some black and white, and some distortions, all of them in an artistic goal don't worry, but never any derp face or any of these little failures showing that the studio rushed the realisation. And during battles, it's soooo beautiful, there's nearly not any, or maybe a veeeery little part of some scenes (I didn't saw it though), 3D animation, everything is perfectly animated, you have to look to your entire screen cause there's not only the center which is interesting. And the action is clear, again, you are not lost in just a big amount of explosions.
Sound : 10/10
The OST of TTGl is pure awesomeness, you find everything. From rap to opera, even the two mixed in one, epic battle soundtracks, emotional piano songs, rock/hard rock tracks, even some tracks that are the definition of hope itself.
Concerning the voice acting, it is absolutely flawless, from Simon, Kamina and Viral yells to Yoko's charming voice, not to mention Boota's strange noises, it's absolutely perfect. You can feel how the voice actors have invested themselves in this delirious project that is Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
Character : 10/10
In TTGL, I can easily name 6 or 7 characters who would have the potential to carry an anime alone, every single character is well developped and extremly itneresting. Particularly the main and close supporting cast, they are numerous but every one of them is perfectly integrated. We don't know many things about their past, except maybe for Simon, but it's absolutely justified, because TTGL never look back, as a drill, the anime never stop to progress, from the ground to heaven. And trust me, you will remember every character of TTGL, because each of them made you laugh so hard that you will not forget. This anime also have the most charismatic character ever, Kamina, incarnation of virility.
Little extra : Yoko is god damn hot, and so are (in their own way) the other female characters in this anime.
Enjoyment : 10/10
After what i said, impossible to give other than 10 to this section. TTGL is the most enjoyable anime I have ever seen. Everything is made so that the watched never feel bored, and is always excited and hyped for the next episode. Truly, I don't know how it is possible to watch this anime while airing, you CAN'T wait for the next episode, even if that involve sleeping only 4 or 5 hours, you just can't stop watching it.
Overall : 10/10
TTGL is maybe, even more than Kill la Kill, the most over the top anime ever. Overkill is a thing here. And you'll never regret it. You don't have to turn your brain off to enjoy TTGL, just remember to be open for everything, because you'll get more than you could ever imagine. This anime will made you laugh so hard that your cheeks are going to hurt, and an anime managing to do this while bringing a touching and kind of philosophical story (how you should act during your life, don't worry, it's really light), a killing OST, an Art above everything and finally, charismatics and very attaching characters, I just call it a masterpiece.
I will finish this review by quoting one of the main theme :
"Do the impossible, see the invisible, ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER
Touch the untouchable, break the unbreakable, ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER" From OST #22, Libera me From Hell.
That's all for me, thanks for reaching the conclusion of my review, I gladly accept any critic toward the writing style of the review or whatever you may think I need to improve.
Thanks, and watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann !
